Cut your polycro groundsheet LIKE A PRO for your next UK wild camping trip

Stay dry and keep your tent in perfect condition! After purchasing a huge sheet of Polycryo (polycro) to use as your groundsheet for wild camping here in the UK, there's a trick to cutting it properly so you use it efficiently, sparingly and so it keeps you dry at night. It will also keep the bathtub floor of your tent as good as new and you can use it for camping under a tarp.
Buy it here: amzn.to/2YSAEZq
Or the Duck brand here: amzn.to/3fMMn2n
Thanks for watching!
BTW, I MADE THIS INCREDIBLE BIT OF GEAR
Check it out! thrunotes.co.uk
Kit list as of June 2020:
Backpacks
Atom+: bit.ly/31oHlFF
ULA Circuit: bit.ly/37XbigX
SHELTERS
Stratospire 2: bit.ly/317A9gS
Zpacks Solplex: bit.ly/2CtyJmr
SLEEP SYSTEMS
Katabatic Sawatch: bit.ly/3fWSxNM
Katabatic Palisade: bit.ly/3ewt5OL
Neoair Xlite: bit.ly/2YrKSB4
FOOTWEAR
Altra Lone Peak 4.0: bit.ly/2B5fHm8
Gaiters - Altra gaiters: bit.ly/37ViBFY
CLOTHING
Waterproof shells
Rohan Helix: bit.ly/37ZKbSo
OR Helium 2: bit.ly/3fVmzBq
Frogg Toggs: bit.ly/2Nqlrth
Insulated jackets
Patagonia Micropuff Hoodie: bit.ly/2YwQZ7f
Trespass Rustler: bit.ly/3i0HODx
Base layers
Ice Breaker base layer: bit.ly/3eGSdlG
Shirts
Rohan Expedition: bit.ly/388teWl
Shorts
Patagonia Striders: bit.ly/2Npw2EX
Hats
REI desert cap: bit.ly/3hWUKdJ
Berghaus beanie: bit.ly/31dGvvi
Sunglasses
Sungods: bit.ly/2zZ0wKG
Gloves
Salomon gloves: bit.ly/2ByVMMf
Ski gloves: bit.ly/383TCQX
Socks
Injinjis: bit.ly/3dwpmPG
Darn Toughs: bit.ly/3hX28G2
Sealskinz: bit.ly/3hXAnNG
NB Flat Knit: bit.ly/31e0Dx1
Mosquito net
Smidge: bit.ly/2B8d9DH
Buff
Camino Buff: bit.ly/31awGho
FILM AND SOUND
Phone
iPhone 11 Pro Max: bit.ly/2NosT83
Drones
DJI Mavic Air 2: bit.ly/31oIn4v
DJI Mavic Air 1: bit.ly/2VbNn8E
Cameras
Canon M50: bit.ly/3eyCPrQ
Sony RX100V: bit.ly/2NqQOUy
Mics
Röde Micro: bit.ly/2Npt1nX
Tripods
Gorilla Pod 1K: bit.ly/31c74Rf
Gorilla Pod 500: bit.ly/3ewApts
Manfrotto Action: bit.ly/2Ys689O
NAVIGATION
GPS units
Garmin InReach Mini: bit.ly/384Keg4
Garmin GPS Map 66i: bit.ly/3dxY4bI
Compass
Silva Field: bit.ly/31aS3iD
WATER TREATMENT
Filter
Sawyer Squeeze: bit.ly/2YwRJt3
Purifying drops
Aquamira drops: bit.ly/3euuQM9
Water storage
Cnoc Vecto 2L: bit.ly/31e1AFB
ELECTRONICS
Power banks
20,000mah: bit.ly/2NnBQyA
13,000mah: bit.ly/3hZhvOg
GPS tracking watch
Garmin Forerunner 35: bit.ly/3drJUc9
Wall chargers
UK : bit.ly/2BxbgQW
US : bit.ly/3dpUIrb
Data
Apple SD reader: bit.ly/2VfnnsW
EQUIPMENT
Lights
NU25: bit.ly/2Z5S70p
H2R Nova: bit.ly/2BB5fCV
Tiki: bit.ly/3hXBKfi
Ice axe
Grivel Helix: bit.ly/2Z6e0Nm
Trekking poles
Alpine Carbon Cork: bit.ly/3hXWiUL
Traction
Microspikes: bit.ly/3fQC5hV
Stove
MSR Pocket Rocket 2: bit.ly/2Vfl4WL
Spoons and knives
TITO titanium spoon: bit.ly/3ey0oAT
Victorinox mini classic: bit.ly/2Yr7dP8
Poop trowel
Deuce of Spades trowel: bit.ly/3i7H3c6
Sit pad
Kumfie pad: bit.ly/3euvJnX
Tent stakes
Tarptent stakes: bit.ly/3hZik9O
MSR Mini Ground Hogs: bit.ly/3ew7VAe
OEX Y-shaped stakes: bit.ly/31bAnnd
Tent poles
Zpacks carbon fibre tent poles: bit.ly/3du14pM
Ground sheet
Polycryo ground sheet: bit.ly/37XLmBW
STORAGE
Pack liners and pods
Atom Packs DCF pack liner: bit.ly/2YrMPxo
Heacy-duty rubble sacks: bit.ly/31dqPba
Dry bags and stuff sacks
Sea to Summit 4L Nano: bit.ly/3hVi8Z3
OEX 2L dry bag: bit.ly/3dx6qjX
Katabatic Gear silynylon stuff sack: bit.ly/3expU9n
Pouches and wallets
Zpacks DCF Wallet: bit.ly/2VgbQcL
Zpacks DCF utility pouch: bit.ly/2CuHAEq
Food storage
Loksak OPSak: bit.ly/2Nq2VkD
Ziploc freezer bags: bit.ly/2Z8GOVz
MISC ITEMS
Bodyglide: bit.ly/2Nt5Wka
Carmex lip balm: bit.ly/31bqBRW
Lifesystems Nano first aid kit: bit.ly/37XVv1v
Croakies eyewear retainer: bit.ly/2B8fmit
#wildcampinguk #wildcamping #groundsheet
FOLLOW ME:
Website: www.thetrailhunter.com/
Insta: / the_trailhu. .
Twitter: / the_trailhunter

[@paulflannigan276]

After my first attempt with polycryo resulted in it tearing too easily around the edges, I had another go but sellotaped all the edges and never looked back!

[@gonewild1220]

Ooooo that scissor technique!!!! Nice one Geeza poly power 👍

[@SheriffCartman]

Going to have a go at making one of these tomorrow as i have some spare sheets of this in the garage. Also thinking of trying the florist film as well which I also have a roll of which is extremely strong and about the width of a one person tent, then just two pieces needed for a two person tent. Given it’s all about durability, would a large emergency blanket not work? With added bonus of it reflecting the heat back up and is then one less thing to pack as you already have an emergency blanket anyway? (I hope)

[@mahmoudmarei3117]

Funny coincidence just bought one an hour ago. Great piece of gear👌

[@simonmorter9341]

I’ve never been into proper backpacking (more so the hostel/travel backpacking variety for me) but I was interested in this nonetheless!! Thanks for more great content mate, production value top notch!!

[@babbas5883]

Thank you very much for the eye opening video for replacing normal groundsheets. Do you by any chance had the chance to test the new brand over the last 5 months? Do you recommend this over the Duck brand or at least as a valid alternative. Thank you

[@steveharrison1765]

My Hilleberg Allak came with the free footprint so I just use that it stays attached as well and covers the porches.

[@kke]

The stock footprint weights a whopping 440 grams (1 pound). One made like this would be ten times lighter.

[@GETtwoIT]

Still using a homemade tyvek ground sheet. How durable is the polycro? Does it tear easily?

[@cristibaluta]

I used a surviving foil for a trip and worked great, but it was smaller than the tent. Is this polycro resistant to rough terrain or it gets punctured easily?

[@BenRobinson1974]

I'm not sure how that is really going to protect anything - if something is going to go through a 40D ripstop fabric, surely it will go through this as well with no bother?

[@trytheoutdoors]

Great idea for a video. It gives me a chance to ask some really stupid questions which have needled me for a while: 1. IN WINDY CONDITIONS, do you put the tent up up first THEN feed the polycro underneath afterwards? 2. If the answer to the above is no, and you put the polycro down first, how do hold it down in a gale? Stones? Put holes in each corner of the polycro and use pegs (but risk tears in the sheet?)? 3. Do you use the pad-size sheets IN the tent to go on top of the tent's sewn-in ground sheet / bathtub (even if 'you've already used another polycro sheet as a tent footprint or is it just if you're tarp or cowboy camping? Your wisdom on these earth-shatteringly vital issues would be much appreciated ( after you've had a giggle and drawn a deep breath)! 😊

[@thetrailhunter4469]

Thanks Imran. Here’s my answers. 1. Tent up first if it’s windy and feed under after or just use water bottles / rocks 2. Answered above 3. They just go under the tent to increase the longevity of the floor. Haha no worries! Good questions!

[@trytheoutdoors]

"Just under the tent? I see," said the blind man. But perhaps you also use the polycro as a ground sheet for the sleeping mat if you're just under a tarp or just the stars? By the way: took your advice and got the xlite. Great piece of gear. Cheers.

[@domo3552]

I'd put any groundsheet down After pitching the tent. I'd also put any cell foam mat on top Under the tent groundsheet. Inflatable mattresses stay inside the tent or bivi bag for me.

[@kke]

Maybe it would be possible to "permanently" attach the groundsheet to the tent bottom? I don't see the point of a pad-sized sheet, I'm kneeling in the tent all the time, I would think the weight is most evenly distributed when laying down on the sleeping pad.

[@kke]

Also, how ever puncture resistant the ground sheet is, it doesn't matter if the sheet material stretches too easily. You can put a condom on a stick and hit it through a paper without breaking the condom. I see a lot of people doing this polycro thing on videos and forums, but I'm a bit skeptical it actually adds much to protect the tent.

[@melindaadams6520]

Well, I have one cut for my tent, but the slightest breeze makes it impossible to lay down before I pitch my tent. So on dry runs, I would pitch the tent, then pull the poly underneath. Actually on the trail, I was too exhausted to mess with it and never used it. Think I'll go back to a real footprint. I would love to see how you manage to get it under your tent.

[@that_which_is_not]

Bit of jiggery pokery at my end, I put my tent up first and slide it under. Bit fiddly but only takes me a couple of minutes. I applied sellotape around the entire edge of the polycro (when initially cutting it to fit the bathtub of my inner), stuck the tape on carefully and folded the remainder over the other side. Had to do it in sections and work my way round but was worth it. Provides a bit of structure to the groundsheet, stops tearing from cuts at the widest point of the groundsheet and barely adds a few grams ✌️

[@leroybishop8766]

I guess Im pretty randomly asking but does anybody know of a good place to stream newly released series online?

[@camilorylan138]

@Leroy Bishop lately I have been using Flixzone. Just google for it :)

[@kke]

@@that_which_is_not Couldn't you just tape it to the bottom of the tent, shouldn't affect packing much.

[@that_which_is_not]

@@kke maybe some little Velcro sticky things? Hadn’t thought of it but why not! I’m never in any rush to pop my tent up tbf, quite enjoy the process so just take my time

[@Yer_Da_]

Why not just use a plastic decorators sheet? Is polycro particularly strong or something?

[@dawngriffiths6804]

YES.

[@jameshenry1285]

The link for the Duck polyro was .7 mil thickness... there is a Duck heavy duty which is 1.5 mil thickness. Would you say that the .7 mil is thick enough? Or would you be better off if it were twice as thick? Thanks for the very helpful content!

[@thetrailhunter4469]

Thanks James! The Duck one was enough and lasted me 2 years! This other brand will surely do the job and it’s half the price. That said I haven’t fully tested the new one as I didn’t want to spend that much money on the Duck one.

[@jameshenry1285]

@@thetrailhunter4469 I'll try it. I'm tired of my pad sliding off Tyvek when sloped. Thanks again!

[@mitch60mccoy]

@@jameshenry1285 the polycryo that came with my Gatewood Cape tent is as slippery as ice so I would love to know if your polycryo is less slippery, the same, or more than your tyvek

[@jameshenry1285]

@@mitch60mccoy Sorry Mitch, I haven't tried the polycryo yet. I've decided to stick with the tyvek for now. I must say that the tyvek has become less slippery now that I've used it more and became a bit roughed up.

[@es3907]

Nice bottle of water you got there 😉

[@TDubya811]

I think your weight is well distributed while your on the sleeping pad. Most risk of picture is when you knee/sit/stand on the groundsheet off of the sleeping pad IMO. DCF should be strong enough without on most ground types for the life of the tent.

[@thetrailhunter4469]

Sure it’s fine without, i use this to make it last even longer because the tents are so expensive.

[@PACEUK22]

So which is better... Duck or Tesa? ahhh! i need to know. ;) thanks for uploading. going to use this on my next bikepacking trip

[@thetrailhunter4469]

Duck is better in my opinion. But hard to get hold of.

[@PACEUK22]

@@thetrailhunter4469 thanks for the prompt response.

[@Impalaontrail]

Disappointed i thought lazers would be involved!! Polycos tuff stuff and ezy fixed with duck..

[@thetrailhunter4469]

Haha no lasers today mate. Cheers bud!

[@Impalaontrail]

@@thetrailhunter4469 next time gadget next time

[@sebastianconrad6142]

Is there anybody alive who couldn’t work out how to do that themselves 🙄?

[@pgreenx]

I didn't find these groundsheets to be very durable. I ended up not carrying one and saved a few ounces too

[@pngit1]

Amazon have one by stormguard 4.0 x 1.5m for £8.

[@thetrailhunter4469]

Thanks Andy!

[@pngit1]

@@thetrailhunter4469 No problem! Thanks for the video, will try this out. I've always thought it looked too flimsy so dismissed it.

[@alanb7025]

Wickes Seasonal Secondary Glazing Film - allegedly rebranded Stormguard stuff. 4m x 1.5m £8.50. Available in store.

[@Kit-lu6ox]

Needed this haha

[@thetrailhunter4469]

Haha cheers Kit! Hope it helped!

[@domo3552]

I'm going to be really the anal backpacker here... Its not Polycro, its Polycryo. You're not the first to make this minor error! Personally, I've ditched my GGear polycryo and use my Adventure Lite emergency bivi sac as a groundsheet instead.

[@thetrailhunter4469]

Hha yes mate in the video I say a bit of both and titled the video “polycro” because all people search for is that term. However, some outdoor gear companies call it that. Strange but yeah! Nice one ☝️

[@domo3552]

@@thetrailhunter4469 I feel really absurd for making such a petty comment bro! I'm the same with music as a pro musician - for example to other musicians I say 'know your technical definitions!' Maybe the world needs nerds like me to help keep it moving! 🙏⛺

[@thetrailhunter4469]

Haha no worries dude! Totally right in saying so!

[@domo3552]

@@thetrailhunter4469 thanks buddy. I've always thought, if I'm carrying an ultralight emergency bivi bag, why not use it as a groundsheet? I'm gettin' pretty close to your minimalist world-trekking backpack setup.. Not quite there yet mate!